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Don Davis

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Don Davis has been the Forum Communications Minnesota Capitol Bureau chief since 2001, covering state government and politics for two dozen newspapers in the state. Don also blogs at Capital Chatter on Areavoices.

ST. PAUL -- Minnesota health officials plan to allow most people to receive H1N1 flu vaccinations. If health care providers have enough vaccine for priority groups such as young people, beginning Wednesday they may give shots or nasal mists to anyone, the Health Department announced Monday. H1N1 flu vaccine has been in such short supply that state officials limited those who could receive them to those most likely to catch the flu. "Many individual providers feel they are ready to make the H1N1 vaccine available to everybody," said Health Commissioner Dr. Sanne Magnan.

A $40 million disagreement means people who live in Minnesota or Wisconsin and work in the other state will need to file income tax returns in both. "A final nail in the issue," is how Minnesota Revenue Commissioner Ward Einess described the situation. The commissioner and Wisconsin legislators met in a Wednesday teleconference, which ended with Einess rejecting a Wisconsin offer that he said would have made the Minnesota budget deficit $40 million bigger. Einess said he did not expect another Wisconsin offer "for the foreseeable future," perhaps a couple of years. Wisconsin legislative le

ST. PAUL -- Democrats want to use federal money, force counties to pay more and divert other funds to restore health care coverage to Minnesota's poor. A program known as General Assistance Medical Care is due to expire March 1 after Gov. Tim Pawlenty eliminated its funding to help balance the state budget. A Democratic plan released at a news conference Thursday would keep providing health care for the 70,000 adults earning less than $7,800 annually who now receive mostly free care via GAMC.

ST. PAUL - Minnesota cities and counties will not lose state aid payments later this month. Gov. Tim Pawlenty's office this afternoon announced he will not reduce or eliminate local aid December payments to help plug a $1.2 billion hole in the current two-year budget.

ST. PAUL -- Minnesota cities and counties will not lose state aid payments later this month. Gov. Tim Pawlenty's office this afternoon announced he will not reduce or eliminate local aid December payments to help plug a $1.2 billion hole in the current two-year budget.

ST. PAUL -- Conservative Republicans hope enough Minnesotans are tired of high taxes that they will support a proposal to limit state spending. It is a tall order, given the fact that Demo-crats control the state Legislature and most of them prefer raising taxes to help plug a budget deficit. But the chairman of the Senate Taxes Committee is ready to consider something to limit taxes, even if it is not the state constitutional amendment Gov.

ST. PAUL -- U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, a frequently quoted national Republican spokeswoman, pledges to work for a state constitutional amendment limiting Minnesota spending. The Minnesota congresswoman capped a Republican rally in favor of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's amendment proposal this morning.

ST. PAUL -- The message a handful of Minnesota Vikings football fans sent state leaders was simple: Get-r-done. The 75 hardy fans cheering outside the state Capitol Thursday did not deliver on a plan to finance a new Vikings stadium.